Treg Cells Protect Babies from Getting HIV Infection from their Mothers

Lymphocytes are cells of the immune system that protect the body by fighting bacteria and viruses. Treg cells, or regulatory T cells, are an important “self-check” in the immune system to prevent excessive immune reactions that could lead to tissue damage. The researchers examined the blood of 64 babies who were born HIV-uninfected and 28 babies born HIV-infected and found that Treg cell levels were higher in uninfected babies at the time of birth. In contrast, other lymphocyte types were activated and higher in HIV-infected infants. The HIV virus can only infect cells that are activated, so Treg may protect from HIV infection by suppressing activation of other lymphocytes. https://www.technologynetworks.com/biopharma/news/treg-cells-protect-babies-from-getting-hiv-infection-from-their-mothers-304904?utm_campaign=Newsletter_TN_BreakingScienceNews&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=63648751&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9mj6Eu4Wou1uucfRBK1qmZ4wegcu-UERbphjba5m5MvkILUr8IHU8aR9e96l0WWXMaVurHUXcxYK066rL5-DiMRn_aFA&_hsmi=63648751